Careers in Music: Music Therapist

I can't think of a better career for the betterment of all people. Music has the power grab our emotions and take us to places of darkness or places of light. The music therapist has the ability to heal. Music therapists merge music with therapy and teaching to improve the health of those with mental and physical disabilities, addictions, disorders as well as people recovering from illness or disease. Music therapists use music to get their patients to express themselves, interact with others with confidence, bring awareness of their feelings and bring a positive change in their lives.Music therapy works for people of all ages to help manage their stress, lessen any physical pain, and improve their memory. Types of patients music therapists work with are children, teens, adults,the elderly with mental health needs and learning disabilities. Music therapists can work either part-time or full-time, but must put their patients needs first and be flexible. They can also work freelance, work sessions or work in temporary positions.

The History Of Music Therapy
Music Therapy began as early as the days of Plato and Aristotle. It was dominant in the 20th century after World War I and World War II when professional as well as amateur musicians went to hospitals to play for the veterans who were physically and mentally suffering from what they have gone through. Seeing how it affected the patients, the doctors and nurses had the hospitals hire musicians. The hospitals saw the need for proper training for the musicians, and a college curriculum began. In 1944 at Michigan State University, the first Music Therapy program in the entire world was founded. The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998 as union of the National Association For Music Therapy and the American Association For Music Therapy.

The American Music Therapy Association
The American Music Therapy Association has 5000 members, music therapists, corporate members and other associations worldwide. It is the largest professional organization. AMTA provides the standard clinical and educational training for music therapists. Their mission is the continued development of the therapeutic use of music in community, rehabilitation and special education.

Employment
General hospitals
Psychiatric hospitals
Schools
Outpatient Clinics
Mental Health Centers
Nursing Homes
Conventional Facilities
Private Practice
Prisons
Social Services
Alcohol programs
Hospice programs
Halfway Houses

Salary
$16,000-$70,000

Qualifications
Musical ability and skill, the patience and understanding to work with disabled people, emotional stability

Skills
Versatile and highly skilled musician, knowledge of various instruments and voice, ability of adapting music

Education
High School Diploma, Sight Reading('read' music), performance skill on an instrument or voice, keyboard skills, Bachelor's degree in music therapy which includes a six month internship, Masters degree may be necessary in some places.

Finding Jobs in Music Therapy
You can search many places online to find music therapy jobs and internships. I even found a page on AOL! Check music classifieds, and put in the keyword music jobs in any search engine to find music job websites.